Charlene Cold Shouldered in Monaco as Deal to Provide Albert's Heir Goes Sour - The Daily Beast trouble in paradise Charlene Cold Shouldered in Monaco as Deal to Provide Albert's Heir Goes Sour Charlene is being shunned by Monaco society and is depressed at her failure to provide Albert an heir, which would get her out of the marriage Tom Sykes 05.05.12 2:42 PM ET Prince Albert of Monaco’s glamorous wife Charlene Wittstock is being cold-shouldered by Monaco society, the Daily Beast can report. “People are embarrassed by her,” one court insider told the Royalist. “There was a hope that she could introduce some glamour, but now most people just feel she is tacky.” Another recent visitor to Monaco said that society figures have taken to 'pre-emptively apologising for' Charlene. Last year, Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer who was forced to deny rumors that she attempted to run away from Monaco back to her home country of South Africa before her wedding, gave an interview in which she said she only had two real friends in Monaco. “Now, she doesn’t even have that," the insider said.

Scandal is swirling around the house of Grimaldi again after Voici magazine in France reported this week that she was coaxed back from Nice for the wedding after she struck a deal that if she provides Albert with an heir, she can get divorced and receive a generous financial settlement. The 34-year-old, whose post-nuptial kiss with Albert was astonishingly awkward, is now 'depressed' at her failure to get pregnant, the magazine added. Albert, who previously dated Claudia Schiffer, has two illegitimate children - eight-year-old son Alexandre with Togolese air hostess Nicole Coste and daughter Jazmin, 20, with American estate agent Tamara Rotola - but neither can claim the throne as they were both born out of wedlock. Voici magazine said: 'Charlene has made the subject of pregnancy a taboo topic around the Royal palace. She might have a smile on her face at official functions, but inside she is stressed and frustrated. This subject is weighing more and more heavily on her shoulders.' Charlene denied stories that she made a break for Nice airport two days before her marriage in July last year after hearing rumours Albert had a third love-child during their relationship (the rumors remain just that).

But according to reports published in French newsmagazine L’Express at the time, the bride attempted to bolt just days before the ceremony, after discovering that "the private life" of Albert was "not as exemplary as she had imagined." According to L’Express, Charlene fled to Nice airport, and, one-way ticket in hand, attempted to board a flight back home to her home in South Africa, before Monaco police caught up with her and persuaded her to stay (she denied the events happened), offering the unseemly deal that if she would provide him with a legitimate heir, she would get a substantial cash divorce settlement. To be fair, you’d need some recompense for marrying Albert. For a noted playboy, he is distinctly lacking in charisma; balding and overweight, he speaks in an alienating and unattractive Mid-Atlantic English drawl. He has struggled with a stammer for his whole life. Fascinatingly, the stammer is far worse when he speaks in French, the language he used to communicate with his terrifying father, Prince Rainier, than when he speaks in English, the language he spoke to his mother. Charlene’s story could not be more different from Albert’s.

She was born in the town of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and the family later moved to South Africa. Her father is an IT entrepreneur and her mother is a former competitive diver who won medals in the Commonwealth Games in the 1970s. She has two brothers, Gareth and Sean, and her uncle was once a captain of the South African rugby team, the Springboks. They met when she attended a swimming event in Monaco, and she later told a paper in Johannesburg: "We sat in the back of the Rolls-Royce, and he told me about his passion for sports and swimming. He was training for the biathlon. I think he was even qualified for the Winter Games. He was charming, a true gentleman." The couple made their first public appearance on February 10, 2006, at the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics. Albert took the throne in July 2005 after the death of his strait-laced father, Prince Rainier. The driven Rainier had built the sleepy Mediterranean port into a tax haven for the rich and created a glittering financial center.

In the year he took the throne, Albert acknowledged that he had fathered a boy, Alexandre, out of wedlock by a former flight attendant. The following year, he also acknowledged an American daughter, Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, born to a California woman. Neither can assume the throne because they were born out of wedlock. Most Monegasques won’t speak on the record, but Patrick Middleton, the Irish-born editor of the expat website Riviera Reporter, is one of the few to have publicly expressed doubts. Get The Beast In Your Inbox! Daily DigestStart and finish your day with the top stories from The Daily Beast. Cheat SheetA speedy, smart summary of all the news you need to know (and nothing you don't). Monaco's Prince Albert weds South African Charlene Wittstock - BBC News BBC News Monaco's Prince Albert weds South African Charlene Wittstock 1 July 2011 Close share panel Media captionCrowds cheered as the royal couple appeared on the balcony Prince Albert II of Monaco and South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock have got married in a civil ceremony in the tiny principality.

The wedding took place at the royal palace by the Mediterranean, where a more elaborate religious ceremony is to be held on Saturday. Up to 3,500 guests are to attend lavish celebrations in Monaco afterwards. Ms Wittstock, 33, who swam in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, is now Her Serene Highness, Princess Charlene. Earlier in the week the palace denied reports in the French press that Ms Wittstock was having second thoughts about the wedding. Prince Albert II, 53, has been the ruler of Monaco since the death of his father, Prince Rainier III, in 2005. The guest list includes heads of state and royalty, from French President Nicolas Sarkozy to the heir to the Spanish throne, as well as fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld and supermodel Naomi Campbell. Charlene Wittstock's wedding dress was designed by Giorgio Armani. Rumours denied Thousands of Monegasques crowded the plaza outside the palace for the civil wedding. Inside, Philippe Narmino, the president of Monaco's Council of State, declared the couple "united by bonds of marriage".

The event was clouded by press reports suggesting that Ms Wittstock had come close to returning to South Africa, after learning secrets about Prince Albert's private life. Image caption The civil ceremony took place in this lavish room at the palace The royal family dismissed the claims, as well as suggestions she had only turned back after royal aides persuaded her to stay. "These rumours have no other goal than to severely damage the reputation of the monarch and thereby that of Miss Wittstock and severely undermine this happy event," said the palace. Ryk Neethling, a fellow South African Olympic swimmer said: "I just spoke to her assistant and whatever the story is, it's not true. "I called her and asked if everything is okay, and they said everything is fine." Glamorous past Charlene Wittstock was born in Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo, moving to South Africa with her family at the age of 12. She represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Games before competing in Sydney as part of the women's medley relay team that finished fifth in the final. Prince Albert was also an athlete, competing in bobsleigh in five Olympics.

The Prince and Ms Wittstock made their relationship public by appearing together at the Turin Winter Olympics of 2006, after meeting in 2000 at a swimming event in Monaco. She ended her swimming career in 2007 and has travelled widely for charity events with her fiance. The tiny principality, which covers about 2 sq km (less than one square mile), is the world's smallest independent state after the Vatican City. It has seen glamorous weddings in the past. In 1956 the Hollywood beauty Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier. The wedding ushered in an unprecedented era of glamour that ended with her death in a car crash in 1982. Charlene, Princess of Monaco | Royalty Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Charlene, Princess of Monaco (1978-01-25) 25 January 1978 (age 34) Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) Religion Roman Catholic previously Protestant Charlene, Princess of Monaco (French: Charlène; née Charlene Lynette Wittstock; born 25 January 1978), is the wife of Albert II, Prince of Monaco .

She is also a former South African Olympic swimmer. Charlene is the daughter of Michael and Lynette Wittstock. She was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to a family of German, English, South African, and Rhodesian descent. Her family relocated to the Transvaal, South Africa, in 1989 after living in Zimbabwe for several years. She represented South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with her team finishing fifth in the Women's 4x100 m Medley. She retired from competitive swimming in 2007. Charlene met Prince Albert in 2000 at a swimming event in Monaco. They were first seen together in 2006, and she has accompanied Prince Albert on many of his official duties since then. They announced their engagement in June 2010 and were married on 1 July 2011. Contents Edit Charlene was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). She is the daughter of Michael Kenneth Wittstock (born 1946), a sales manager, and Lynette Wittstock (née Humberstone, born 1957), a former competitive diver and swimming coach.

Charlene has two younger brothers: Gareth (born 1980), a computer technician, and Sean (born 1983), a sales representative. Her family relocated to South Africa in 1989 when she was 11 years old. Charlene attended Tom Newby Primary school in Benoni, near Johannesburg, from 1988 to 1991. The Wittstock family is of German origin; Charlene's great-great-grandparents Martin Gottlieb Wittstock and Louise Wittstock (née Schönknecht) emigrated to South Africa from the Pomeranian village of Zerrenthin in northern Germany in 1861 to escape hardship. In South Africa the Wittstocks worked as handymen and unsuccessfully hunted for diamonds. Gottlieb's son Heinrich Carl Wittstock would marry Olive Florence Caldwell, of English origin. Their son Dudley Kenneth Wittstock, Charlene's paternal grandfather, married Sylvia Fagan Nicolson, also of English origin. Michael Wittstock said in April 2011 that he was considering moving the family from Benoni to Monaco because of South Africa's crime rate.

Swimming career HSH Princess Stéphanie Charlene was a member of the South African women's 4×100 m medley team at the 2000 Summer Olympics, which finished fifth. She finished sixth at the 2002 FINA Short Course World Championships for the 200 m breaststroke. She left her Durban-based team (the Seagulls) to join the Tuks Swimming Club at the High Performance Centre at the University of Pretoria. She was never enrolled for any academic courses at the University of Pretoria and therefore never graduated from the University; the Club sponsored her by providing her with free access to their pools, free coaching, accommodations, and gymnasium access. She decided to leave Pretoria in January 2005 and returned to Durban; she then went to the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, where she joined a former Tuks swimming coach, Brannislav Ivkovic.

On 13 April 2007 Charlene regained her title as South Africa’s 50 m women’s backstroke champion when she completed the 50 m backstroke final at the Telkom SA National Aquatic Championships in 30:16 seconds, to finish third behind Australia’s Sophie Edington and Brazil’s Fabíola Molina. She has won several national titles over the years. She planned to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics in China, which she said would be her swansong, but she did not qualify. Previously she had been out of competitive swimming for 18 months with a shoulder injury. Charlene said she would be swimming in Europe in the near future, hoping to better her times. "I have a year left of competitive swimming, and I just want to be the best I can be in that time. After that I want to get involved in charity work, and development work with athletes' commissions." She has recently commented that her swimming days are behind her, enabling her to concentrate on her role as Princess of Monaco.

Special Olympics ambassador Edit On Friday, 27 May at an Amber Lounge charity fashion show during the 2011 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Special Olympics announced that Charlene has become a global ambassador for the movement, charged with promoting respect and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities to a worldwide audience. Charlene has said that the Special Olympics movement is close to her heart because, as a former athlete, she values its role in "using the power of sport to change lives". Marriage Main article: Wedding of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and Charlene Wittstock Charlene met Albert II, Prince of Monaco , in 2000 at the Mare Nostrum swimming meet in Monaco. They were first seen together at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Charlene moved in with Albert in 2006. She accompanied him to the weddings of Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden , in 2010, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge , in 2011. Dual Cypher of Charlene and her husbandOn 23 June 2010, the palace announced the engagement of Charlene and the Prince.

Charlene, who was raised a Protestant, converted to Roman Catholicism, even though this is not a requirement of the Constitution of Monaco. The future princess was also instructed in the French language and the Monégasque dialect, and became familiar with European court protocol. The wedding was originally scheduled for 8 and 9 July 2011 but was moved forward to prevent a conflict with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in Durban on 5–9 July. The couple had invited members of the IOC, including president Jacques Rogge, to their wedding. The couple attended the IOC meeting; hence Charlene's first foreign visit as Princess was to her childhood home, South Africa. During the week before the wedding, the palace was forced to deny reports that Charlene had been getting cold feet. French weekly L'Express reported that Charlene tried to leave Monaco on Tuesday, 28 June, after rumours surfaced that Albert had fathered a third illegitimate child. The report claimed Monaco police intercepted her at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and confiscated her passport, and that it took "intense convincing" by Albert and palace officials for her to stay. The palace called the stories "ugly rumours" born out of jealousy.

The couple were married in a civil ceremony on 1 July 2011 at the Throne Room in the Prince's Palace . The Nuptial Mass on 2 July was a lavish affair. Only days after the beginning of the couple's honeymoon in South Africa, several newspapers from Spain, Britain and elsewhere reported that Charlene and Albert were not staying at the same hotel, but were in fact booked in different hotels several miles apart. These reports fueled rumours about the couple's marital crisis that was sparked off even before their wedding. Princess of Monaco Edit As Monaco's first lady, Charlene presides at the principality's National Day celebrations, the Monaco Grand Prix, the Rose Ball (Bal de la Rose) held to raise funds for the Princess Grace Foundation, and the annual Red Cross Ball. Princess Charlene is known for her elegant dress sense, patronising designers Akris and Armani. She wore a Giorgio Armani Prive design for her wedding dress, and attended the Akris show at Paris Fashion Week in October 2011. In 2015, Charlene gave birth to twins, a boy named Jaques and a girl named Gabriella.

Monaco's Princess Charlene finally breaks her silence to brand rumours she tried to flee before wedding 'categorical lies' | Daily Mail Online comments As she walked down the aisle in a bespoke Armani dress that had taken the Italian atelier an astonishing 2,500 hours to create, Charlene Wittstock, now Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco, looked anything but the happy bride. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she exchanged vows with the principality's ruler, Prince Albert II, in front of a global audience of millions. But her tears weren't, as reported, the result of a series of rows over her fiance's womanising ways and a failed escape attempt in the days leading up to her wedding. In a rare interview, the South African former swimmer has revealed that they were tears of happiness and has described the speculation as 'categorical lies'. Happily married: Princess Charlene pictured with her husband Prince Albert II of Monaco on Saturday Overwhelmed: Charlene was pictured with tears streaming down her face but says they were happy ones 'Everything was just so overwhelming and there were all the mixed emotions because of the rumours, and obviously the tension built up and I burst into tears [immediately after the ceremony].

'And then I burst into tears some more because I was thinking "Oh no, now the whole world has seen me cry"'. Despite the slew of negative headlines that marred her big day, Europe's newest royal wife has happy memories of her wedding. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share 'It was such a wonderful three days,' she told the Times Weekend Magazine . 'Even months afterwards I would get flashbacks and think, "Oh my goodness, did I really have the Eagles playing at my wedding?" 'I think back and wonder how we managed to pull it off. There was a lot going on. It was beautiful; it was sentimental, showing my most intimate moment to the world.' Princess Charlene says she has happy memories of her wedding day and describes speculation as 'lies' Enjoying life: Princess Charlene on the arm of her husband at a society party in Monaco earlier this month Princess to be: Charlene was a professional swimmer before her marriage Since her 2011 nuptials, Charlene has thrown herself into her new role, building relationships with other European royals and working on her charitable foundation which encourages French and Monégasque children to learn to swim.

'My cousin drowned when he was five years old,' she says. 'He went to swim in a neighbour's pool and fell in. 'Thousands of people drown in France every year... and I want to spearhead this water safety project of mine, giving people access to someone to teach them to swim free.' She's working on smoothing the gap between the designer clad children of the super-rich and everyone else and is currently setting up a competition that will encourage Monégasque children to design their own school uniforms. She also speaks warmly of her work with Dior designer Raf Simons who recently staged a show in the principality. 'I worked for two years on that,' she explains. 'I had a vision to arrange a fashion show between Cannes Film Festival and the [Monaco] Grand Prix, because everybody is here. 'I thought it would work out and people would love to see Raf Simons' line. I mean, he's the number one designer in the world! I'm still smiling about it.' Another person who makes her smile is the Netherland's new queen, Maxima. 'Maxima has been unbelievably supportive if I need help with anything,' reveals Charlene.

'Because she came from Argentina and moved to Holland, we have made similar lifestyle choices. She has given me advice that I identified with.' Relaxed: Princess Charlene was pictured enjoying a holiday with friends in Portofino earlier this month Support: Queen Maxima has been a fount of good advice while the Duchess of Cambridge is 'lovely' And Maxima isn't the only fellow royal to meet with Princess Charlene's approval. The Duchess of Cambridge, married just months before Charlene, has also proved a friendly source of support. 'She's very sweet and lovely,' says Charlene. 'I can understand it must be difficult for everyone being in this situation when you're not born into it.' But as the Duchess of Cambridge, now a day overdue, prepares for the birth of her first child, does she hope for a little prince or princess of her own? 'Look, I'm not going to put myself under any pressure,' she says. 'I just got married. I'm just settling into this enormous place and getting used to having huge responsibilities. 'You know,' she adds, 'we travel a lot, so it's going to take time. But as I said, I'm not going to put myself under any pressure.

It will happen; it will happen.' Read the full interview at the Times website Charlene Wittstock Charlene Wittstock Charlene Wittstock Charlene Wittstock Charlene Wittstock achieved many things in her life - including the status of Olympic athlete - but what really makes her unusual is becoming a royal princess through her marriage to Prince Albert of Monaco in 2011. The future Princess of Monaco Charlene Lynette Wittstock was born on January 25, 1978 in Bulawayo, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe When she was aged 12, her family emigrated to South Africa, where she grew up in the east rand town of Benoni. Charlene (right) on June 15, 2011 at Farrarmere Primary school in Benon. In 1997 Charlene won the 100 and 200 backstroke events at the South African Championships in Germiston , silver in the 50 and 100 freestyle - and the award as Best FeMale Swimmer of the Tournament.

She swam for South Africa at the 2000 Olympics, and at the 2002 FINA Short Course World Championships, where she placed sixth in the 200 m backstroke, and at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games. A shoulder injury shortened her career and although she tried to return for the 2008 Olympics, she did not qualify. She developed a passion for swimming at a very early age. In 2000, her team came in fifth at the Sydney Olympic Games. That same year, she won the gold medal for the 200m backstroke event at the "Marenostrum" international swimming meeting in Monaco. This is when she met Prince Albert for the first time; he was presiding over the international competition. In 2002, she won three gold medals at the swimming World Cup (50m and 100m crawl, 4x100m relay) and the silver medal during the Manchester Commonwealth Games (4x100m medley relay). In 2007, she ceased competing after qualifying for the Beijing Olympics.

At a swimming competition in Monaco in 2000 Wittstock met Prince Albert II, and they later began a romantic relationship. In June 2010 Wittstock and Prince Albert II became engaged, and were married in Monaco on 1-2 July 2011 (civil and religious ceremony). At that time Wittstock became Her Serene Highness, The Princess of Monaco. Today Charlene has a continued interest in swimming - even competing in the Midmar Mile. On her marriage, Charlene became Princess consort of Monaco and gained the title and style of Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco; the last to hold the title was the Prince's mother, Grace Kelly. Charlene was married to the Prince in a civil ceremony on 1st July 2011 in the Throne Room at the Palace of Monaco. The religious ceremony took place on 2nd July 2011 in the Cour d'Honneur of the Palace of Monaco. She bears the title "HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco" along with all the historical titles vested to the Prince, in the feminine.

On February 12, 2011, the soon-to-be Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock, swam the 38th aQuelle Midmar Mile Race this morning in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Women of Influence Supporting Charlene Wittstock is also a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics , seen here with SA Olympiuc coach Wayne Ridden, handing over a cheque to SOSA valued at €60,000 and also held a benefit breakfast in Pietermaritzburg with proceeds for SOSA. This was the first time that Charlene had competed in the Midmar Mile (the biggest timed open water swimming event in the world) and so she decided that rather than swimming it competitively that she would swim alongside SOSA athletes. Joining Charlene was Olympic Gold medallist Roland Schoeman, Olympic silver medallist Terence Parkin and ‘the human polar bear’, Lewis Pugh. Individuals of all disabilities, those competing in the iron man and the biathlon events competed in the first race of the day at 8h30 for a straight 1 mile swim in the Midmar Dam, Pietermaritzburg, SA.

First out of the water was Special Olympics South Africa athlete leader Craig Groenewald and he was closely followed by athletes without disabilities. Charlene Wittstock presented the awards for the ‘Disability category’ with SOSA athletes taking gold, silver and bronze for both males and females in the ‘Intellectually Impaired’ category. Craig Groenewald’s winning time was 21:06 whilst the ladies winner and SOSA representative to the 2011 SOWSG open water swim event, Cornelia Fowler completed the event in 27:49. Charlene is looking forward to making this an annual event on her calendar whilst SOSA in turn plans to grow the field of 43 athletes that completed this year’s event. From poppie to princess Claire Keeton | 26 June, 2011 ELEGANT: Top, SA swimming champion Charlene Wittstock poses for a portrait for South African Sports Illustrated in November 2001. Above, actress Grace Kelly, the mother of Prince Albert II.

Left, Prince Albert II and Charlene at the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William in London The Cinderella from Benoni had the natural drive and the discipline to win her prince - and ensure the slipper fits. Charlene Wittstock has seldom put a foot wrong in her 10-year fairy tale from barefoot Olympic swimmer to enchanted princess in high-heeled slippers. Except when it came to wearing high heels. That took practice for the golden girl from Benoni. But, like Cinderella minus any wicked relatives, the slipper now fits and she's found her prince charming. At 33, she is poised to follow in the footsteps of the late Hollywood star, Grace Kelly, when she marries Kelly's son, Prince Albert II of Monaco, at the Prince's Palace of Monaco next weekend. Mining magnate Bridgette Radebe, who is close to her, says: "Charlene can bring her uniqueness and energy to follow on the legend of Princess Grace." Wittstock's elegance, like another glamorous blonde from Benoni, Hollywood star Charlize Theron, already glitters from red carpets and the covers of glossy magazines such as Vogue.

Despite her metamorphosis, Wittstock - born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and raised in Benoni and Durban - remains passionate about her family, friends, Africa and her charities. Radebe says: "Charlene has never stopped being who she is. With Charlene, what you see is what you get." And what you get includes friendliness, fun, compassion and commitment. During Radebe's visit last month, Wittstock's day was packed with official duties, so the friends only caught up in the early hours of the morning. "By the time we finished, it was something to four and we had not eaten. We asked the chef to prepare a spicy, vegetarian pasta. Charlene is vegetarian and we asked for lots of garlic and chilli. She said: 'I'm a Durban girl.' We started chatting about South Africa, her passion - which is mentoring and the development of children in swimming - fashion and social responsibility. "She always wants to know: 'Am I doing enough?' She wants to go the extra mile in her new role." Wittstock will soon represent Monaco on the global stage. Yet she will still be an ambassador for South Africa.

She sent Radebe, who is married to Justice Minister Jeff Radebe, an sms last week saying: "Oh, South African flags all over the country before the wedding. It's awesome." Wittstock's patriotism is part of her family heritage. Her father, Mike, is a loyal, no-nonsense South African. When Prince Albert II called her father last year to ask for her hand in marriage, she advised him to phone before South Africa played France in the 2010 Fifa World Cup. "The next day I asked: 'When did you call?' and he said it was five minutes before kickoff. I asked what my father had said, and he replied: 'He said he had to get off the phone because the national anthem was coming on.' I said that I hope he got the message," Wittstock said in a recent TV interview. A tall and imposing figure, her father says Wittstock grew up a fearless tomboy who often got into scrapes. "Once she jumped off a tree onto a horse and broke her arm in three places. She was not scared of anything," her father says. In her competition days, Wittstock joked that she got into swimming because the pool was the safest place for her.

Ultimately, swimming dominated her youth. Her first crush was on a local freestyle champion, Peter Williams, whose picture she used to kiss good morning, she said in an interview in 1992. Wittstock was a South African backstroke champion and represented the country at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 - and through a swimming meeting in Monaco that year, she met Prince Albert II. Her former teammate, Penny Heyns, remembers Wittstock as a friendly, entertaining person "who knew somebody, without exception, wherever we were in the world". "She has a lot more depth of character and is more perceptive than you see on the surface," says Heyns. "I can't think of any time I saw her grouchy, and she was an unselfish, considerate roommate." An injury forced Wittstock out of competitive swimming in 2007, but she still trains with her coach, who has accompanied her to Monte Carlo. He's not the only member of her close circle of family, friends and pets to move to the principality. Her mother Lynette, a gentle and supportive woman, and her brother, Gareth live in Monte Carlo.

Her other brother, Sean and her father, escorting her remaining dogs, flew over for the wedding. "She has her own puppy and between her and her mom they have about six dogs," says Radebe, describing her as very pro-animal. Wittstock is traumatised by the slaughter of rhino and she and Prince Albert II are promoting environmental awareness from Monaco. Radebe says Wittstock is in her element at the family lodge in the mountains, near Marseilles, where she has time and space to herself to hike and unwind with her friends and family. Wittstock's African heritage has permeated the royal palace and wedding programme. She invited South African Idols winner Jason Hartman to perform at their wedding celebration, as well as local boy band the Romanz. "I thought I would give input on the music," she said in the TV interview. "My wedding is just a little bit bigger than most but, ja, my nerves are alright for now." When Radebe joined Wittstock's family for a dinner at the palace in honour of her conversion to Catholicism, she noticed that French music was no longer the sole genre.

"We were sitting in these beautiful Japanese gardens after her christening ceremony, having dinner, and in the background was South African music: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba, and then comes the South African national anthem." Wittstock's appreciation of contemporary African art shows in her beautiful apartment, says Radebe. "Lynette is an artist and Charlene is very creative, like her." Wittstock enjoys local favourites such as Mrs Ball's chutney and rooibos tea, and asks for Zambuk, her father says. Radebe says: "She is the most inexpensive person to please." Terrence Bray from Durban is one of Wittstock's favourite designers, but for her wedding she'll be wearing a dress by Giorgio Armani. Radebe says Wittstock has an innate sense of style and understood what suited her sculpted body even before she met Armani. "She is not cluttered and knows how to carry herself." Wittstock has such grace when she accompanies Prince Albert II on formal occasions that she looks as if she were born into royalty. But at her first major appearance with him, despite being briefed on the protocol, she found the attention overwhelming.

Radebe says: "She phoned me the next day and said there were hundreds of people clapping when they walked in - and sounded quite upset." Wittstock, like any celebrity on a world stage, has also had moments when her high-flying lifestyle trips her up. She once shared the royal box with the celebrated tenor Placido Domingo at the Grand Prix and did not realise who he was. "She asked him: 'What do you do?' and when he told her he was a singer, she said she would love to meet the Three Tenors, unaware that he was one of them," says Radebe. "She does not mind not knowing everything and learning along the way." Hartman describes Wittstock as a "very genuine person who is pretty down to earth and kind and caring". The Monegasque people love her spirit of ubuntu and her fresh, natural energy. "Africa is a symbol of nature and sunshine and Charlene oozes naturalness and attracts a lot of people," says Radebe. Her vitality could be channelled into her children, potential heirs to the throne.

"You are on a journey with this person (after marriage) and you would like to have little people along the way, and potential Sharky supporters," Wittstock said in the TV interview. "I would say I'm looking forward to it," she said, joking that she hoped her husband would support the Sharks, since he had become a staunch rugby fan. "He is a sports fanatic himself. He has done triathlons, been to five Olympic games for bobsleigh and swims and runs." Radebe feels the couple are lucky to have found each other. "They are so gelled together and so similar, with their interests intertwined." The prince introduced Wittstock to Radebe and the two women connected from the moment they met. "She is very open," says Radebe. If she arrives for a visit, Wittstock will exclaim "Bridg" and fling open her arms for an embrace. Prince Albert's family have been very welcoming to Wittstock, making her feel part of the family, Radebe says.

She realises she will share her husband with the country and is ready for the role of first lady, adds Radebe, who thinks the royal union will benefit South Africa by enhancing the social, economic and political union of both countries. Wittstock said in the TV interview: "I will have many duties here to fulfil and will have to dedicate my time to the Monegasque people. But I will not be forgetting South Africa." Charities are a priority for her and Wittstock is excited at being chosen as the Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics. "I would put everything aside (for charity) and focus on that when I have time," she said. After the wedding, Wittstock and Prince Albert II will take their first international trip together, to Durban. Perhaps she'll even get to go surfing, which is one of her favourite sports. "Initially we'll go to the International Olympic Committee meeting and then relax with family and friends," she says. "I will always come back to South Africa, at least once a year." Your Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco, take a bow.

Family Affairs The prince and princesses of Monaco - the children of the late Princess Grace (née Kelly) and Prince Rainier III - flouted royal protocol with unconventional relationships and scandalous antics. The Grimaldi children became famous for their wild ways, romancing with Hollywood stars, flight attendants, racing drivers, bodyguards and elephant trainers. But Prince Albert II, Princess Caroline of Hanover, and the youngest, Princess Stephanie, have long since abandoned their hedonistic days, and the prince's wedding to Charlene Wittstock next weekend symbolises a new era for the dynasty. Wittstock, who has lived in the Mediterranean principality since 2006, will be its first crown princess since Kelly's death in 1982. In the past, the bachelor prince has been romantically linked to supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Angie Everhart, and actress Brooke Shields. After Prince Albert II ascended the throne in 2005, he acknowledged fathering a son, Alexandre, and a daughter, Jazmin Grace, out of wedlock with different women.

A former Air France stewardess from Togo is the mother of his son, aged seven, and a former waitress from California is the mother of his teenage daughter. Prince Albert II and Wittstock are keen to have children, who would be legitimate heirs to the Grimaldi throne. Children born out of wedlock are not eligible for succession. The father of the youngest child of the tattooed Princess Stephanie remains a mystery. Her two older children were born during her marriage to her bodyguard. Stephanie, who was 17 when she survived the car crash that killed her mother in 1982, divorced the bodyguard. Her second marriage also ended in divorce. Her older sister, Princess Caroline, endured tragedy when her second husband, the father of their three children, died in an accident in a speedboat race. She is now married to German Prince Ernst August of Hanover, but they are living apart after Princess Caroline and their daughter moved back to Monaco. Despite the turbulence, family friends say their children have been well raised and that the next generation of Grimaldis will be a fine reflection on the family legacy. - Claire Keeton Cele|bitchy | Charlene Wittstock & Prince Albert are married: did he take her passport?

Charlene Wittstock & Prince Albert are married: did he take her passport? Charlene Wittstock , Prince Albert of Monaco , Weddings Well, it happened! Charlene Wittstock managed to marry Prince Albert of Monaco in a quiet civil ceremony today in Monte Carlo. Tomorrow is the big church wedding where Charlene will wear her big white dress (I believe it’s going to be Armani , right?), but today Charlene just wore a simple, pale blue suit. So, did she ever really try to do a runner ? Sources continue to say that she did, and this morning, I spied this headline: “Prince Albert’s lawyer denies Charlene Wittstock had passport confiscated at Nice airport during last-minute attempt to leave principality.” Did you hear that? HE TOOK HER PASSPORT. Seriously, this poor girl. This is like an international catastrophe. If I was Charlene, you can bet I would have been calling my embassy and throwing a massive fit. A former Olympic swimmer from South Africa was officially declared Princess Charlene of Monaco today following her marriage to Prince Albert.

Dressed in a sky-blue jacket and skirt, 33-year-old Charlene Wittstock smiled radiantly as she said ‘I do’ in a civil ceremony in the Royal Palace throne room of the ancient Mediterranean principality. Her new husband, 53-year-old Albert, looked on proudly in a dark suit and grey tie as he put sensational rumours about his personal life behind him. The French press even compared the nuptials to Britain’s Royal Wedding – while lamenting the fact that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had sadly had to decline their invitation to Monte Carlo because they were on an official trip to Canada. Less respectful Gallic commentators were, meanwhile, suggesting that history’s first Princess Charlene might not have the same ring to it as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Miss Wittstock had, in the words of Le Monde, ‘tried to escape’ last week – back home to South Africa after learning that Albert may have fathered a third love child. As the mystery deepened, Albert’s two love children and their mothers stayed away from today’s 40 minute ceremony at the Royal Palace. They are also expected to be absent from the Catholic Church ceremony tomorrow.

Instead French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to join celebrity guests including James Bond star Roger Moore, former supermodel Naomi Campbell, and veteran fashion designers Karl Lagerfeld and Giorgio Armani. Organisers of the £55million celebrations surrounding the wedding – which included a concert by The Eagles last night – hope that it will rival the 1956 wedding of Albert’s mother, Hollywood star Grace Kelly, and his father, Prince Rainier. Philippe Narmino, president of Monaco’s Council of State, officiated today, and confirmed that the former Miss Wittstock was now officially a Princess. Before the 5pm ceremony, Mr Narmino said: ‘It’s the event of my life. Me, who as a magistrate, has dealt with hundreds of divorce dossiers during 27 years, will be marrying a couple for the first time.’ Referring to the Paris news magazine which broke the story about Charlene’s attempted flight, and which still stands by it, Albert’s lawyer Thierry Lacoste said: ‘I heard everything about the child – white, black, who has been born, not yet born – it has to stop, it’s I don’t know what.

There is no child, it’s a totally false rumour and absolutely without foundation. It’s easy to do your job as a journalist – to check that Charlene did not go to the airport. It’s clearly false, she and the prince were around all last week.’ In fact a senior detective from Monaco, who was involved in the later stages of the ‘incident’ at Nice airport, has confirmed that ‘Charlene had her passport confiscated so that the Prince’s entourage could persuade her to stay’. Albert already has two children – six-year-old Alexandre, the son of Nicole Coste, a former Air France air hostess from Togo, and Jazmin, 19, whose mother is Tamara Rotola, an American estate agent. Miss Coste was spotted in Monaco earlier this week, but was said to have been advised to stay away from the wedding to avoid ‘media exposure’. Mr Lacoste infamously issued fierce denials before DNA tests proved Albert was the father of Alexandre and Tamara. Despite his strong denial this time around, Mr Lacoste confirmed that he was taking no action against L’Express.

And Christophe Barbier, editor of L’Express and a close friend of French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, said the magazine had no intention of removing the story from its website, saying: ‘We stand by our information which was supplied by three different sources.’ Mr Barbier said it was important to give Charlene’s attempted return home publicity because of the ‘number of crowned heads and representatives of various states that are expected at the marriage’. Despite such enthusiastic predictions, the guest list for the wedding – which had been shrouded in secrecy until today – revealed that many senior royals who had been expected to attend were not in fact coming. [From The Mail ] I’m starting to believe that Charlene did in fact try to do a runner, but she was somehow talked back into marrying Albert. Maybe she was promised money, or a completely separate life away from him, or God knows what. I’m also wondering if Charlene is being medicated, or if she’s self-medicating… wouldn’t you need to take a pill (or a half a dozen) to deal with marrying Albert, this dude who you clearly don’t want to be married to? UPDATE: More photos from today’s balcony kiss.

I swear, Charlene looks like she’s wincing. Photos courtesy of WENN. Prince Albert II of Monaco dismisses marriage rumours - Telegraph Monaco Prince Albert II of Monaco dismisses marriage rumours Prince Albert II of Monaco has said rumours that his new wife Princess Charlene wanted to call off their wedding were spread by people who were "jealous" of his family and lavish royal lifestyle. Monaco's Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene wave to guests as they leave after the religious wedding ceremony at the Monaco Palace Photo: AP By Our Foreign Staff 8:36PM BST 21 Jul 2011 The 53-year-old ruler, who married Charlene Wittstock, 33, last month, summoned reporters to his Monaco palace in a bid to end speculation that his marriage is on the brink of collapse. "My family have long been the subject of rumours born out of jealousy," he said. "There's one or more people in Monaco who are trying to cause harm. We want to express our indignation at these rumours. It's unbearable.

"What's regrettable is that the media pick up these rumours without verifying the information." "I find that unworthy on the part of your colleagues." Prince Albert addressed claims that the newly-wed couple slept in separate hotels one night on their honeymoon in South Africa – he claimed it was for "obvious practical reasons". Related Articles

Question: Who did Bulawayo born Charlene Wittstock marry earlier this month?
Answer: PRINCE ALBERT OF MONACO